The barbecues and smokers are cooling down after a busy five days at London Ribfest.

Meat lovers made their way to Victoria Park in downtown London to try some delicious barbecued meat over the weekend.

A few steps away from the meat madness was the London Craft Beer festival. Visitors lined up to sample different craft beers from around the region while enjoying their ribs.

Throughout the five-day festival, visitors voted on their favourite ribs and favourite beer. The winners were announced Monday, with Boss Hogs BBQ taking home the prize for best ribs and Powerhouse Brewery winning best beer.

“It’s always been a pleasure since 2009 to run Ribfest,” organizer Doug Hillier said at the award ceremony. “We hold Ribfest near and dear to our heart.”

The addition of the London Craft Beer festival was new this year, along with a virtual-reality game for visitors to try in between rib tastings.

Hillier said the addition of craft beer has been a long goal for the festival and it didn’t happen on a whim.

“We went from three choices . . . to 40 different craft beers and coolers,” he said.

Although ribs were a big theme at the event, there were non-meat activities to enjoy as well.

There were plenty of midway rides for kids and families, carnival games and craft vendors. Plus, there were additional food carts with goodies such as ice cream, popcorn, lemonade and beaver tails.

Visitors also enjoyed different musical artists over the weekend, including DJs and bands.

London Ribfest is Canada’s first and largest rib festival.

Elsie Tandecki, who said she is almost 3 years old, digs into a rib during the final day of London Ribfest on Monday August 6, 2018. The ribs were “a little bit spicy.” She was at Ribfest with her father Marcin. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

RIBFEST 2018 WINNERS

BEST RIBS

Gold: Boss Hogs BBQ

Silver, first runner-up: Route 55 Barbecue Team

Bronze, second runner-up: Fat Boys Barbecue

BEST BEER

Gold: Powerhouse Brewery

Silver: Cowbell Brewing Co.

Bronze: Forked River Brewing Co.

Dillon Pfeffer barbecues some ribs and chicken at the Oak and Barrel on ribbers row during the final day of London Rifest on Monday August 6, 2018. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)